Imparting stretch characteristics to woven fabrics

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an apparatus wherein a fabric is treated with a shrinking agent and then led through a series of zones under successively increasing warp tension to thereby produce stretch characteristics in the fill direction of the fabric.

United States Patent 11:1 3,695,064 Runton 1 51 Oct. 3, 1972 IMPARTINGSTRETCH 2,955,345 10/1960 Howe ..28/7l.3 X CHARACTERISTICS TO WOVEN2,179,505 11/1939 Huey ..8/125 FABRICS 3,032,856 5/1962 Fleissner..28/71.3 X

[72] Inventor: keslie A. Runton, Middle Haddam, FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPUCATIQNS onn. 375,836 6/1962 Japan ..68l5 E [731 Stevens (30-1 Inc-1New York 277,525 11/1964 Netherlands ..68/5 E [22] Filed; Ma 25, 1970Primary Examiner-Robert R. Mackey 1 pp No: 48,673 Attorney-Thomas M.Hammond and J. Bradley Cohn Related us. Application Data 1571 ABSTRACT[62] Division f s No. 387,10], Aug 3, 1964, The present inventionrelates to an apparatus wherein Pat. No. 3,528,763. a fabric is treatedwith a shrinking agent and then led through a series of Zones undersuccessively increasing 52 us. c1. ..68/5 E, 26/185, 68/43 Warp tensionto thereby Produce Stremh charac- 511 1m. (:1. ..D06c 1/00, D06c 3/00eristics in the fill directifin of the fabric- [58] Field of Search..26/18.5; 8/125; 68/5 E, 43; 28/713, 76 E [56] References Cited 2Claim, 4 Drawing figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,449,060 6/1969 Schenck..8/125 PHENTEDM 3 1922 SHEEI 1 OF 2 8408 m 20 w 20M 8 68 03 wzo- ProxywmaIh m ZON 2.05 Q30 wzON X00 JOGFZOU mvmon LESLIE A. RUNTON A TTORNEY[MPARTING STRETCH CHARACTERISTICS T WOVEN FABRICS The presentapplication is a division of Application Ser. No. 387,10l, filed Aug. 3,1964, and now U. S Pat. No. 3,528,763, granted Sept. 15, 1970.

This invention relates to textiles. More particularly, the inventionrelates to a process and apparatus for the production of stretchablewoven fabrics having the ability to stretch and to recover substantiallycompletely after repeated extension throughout the life of the fabrics.

Fabrics having substantially permanent stretch and recovery propertiesare known. Although these known fabrics have achieved wide commercialacceptance, it is desirable to provide fabrics of this type which haveincreased stretch while maintaining properties of recovery. Currentprocesses and apparatus are suitable for the production of such fabricshaving a stretch factor of just over 20 percent in a filling-wisedirection as well as in a warp-wise direction. However, attempts toproduce fabrics having much more than 20 percent filling-wise stretch bypresent methods and apparatus have generally not been successful orresult in complete breakdown of the fabric by fiber and/or yarnbreakage. On the other hand, the present process and apparatus providewoven fabrics having filling-wise stretch as high as 50 percent andmore, as well as substantially complete recoverability from repeatedextension throughout the life of the fabrics.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a process forproducing woven fabric having stretch characteristics comprisingdisposing woven fabric having a tension applied to the warp yarnssufficient to straighten the yarns in a warp-wise direction in atreatment zone for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient tocause deformation of the filling yarns in the fabric, conducting thefabric from the first zone to one or more additional zones whileincreasing the warp tension on the fabric in an amount sufficient totake up any slack which has formed in the warp yarns due to elongationthereof, and maintaining the fabric in the additional zone or zones fora time and at a temperature sufficient to cause further shrinkage of thefilling yarns and fonning fabric having stretch characteristics.

In the practice of the invention, the instant process can be carried outcontinuously, semicontinuously, or as a unitary process and the fabrictreated in accordance therewith exhibits excellent properties of stretchin a filling-wise direction.

Fabric which can be treated in accordance with this invention varieswidely with respect to the materials from which it is made. The fabriccan be made from filamentary synthetic materials such as polyamides,polyesters, acrylics, polyolefins and other suitable syntheticfilamentary materials. The fabric can also be made from natural fiberssuch as wool, cellulosics, such as cotton, or proteinaceous materialsuch as silk and the like. If desirable, fabric processed in accordancewith the invention can be made of a blend of natural and syntheticfibrous materials in either the filling and/or the warp yarns. On theother hand, the filling yarns or the warp yarns can be made entirely ofone type of fiber. in those cases where fabric which contains a blend ofnatural and synthetic fibrous materials is processed in accordance withthe invention, the blend of fibrous materials is one in which theindividual fibrous materials in the blend generally attain stretchcharacteristics when treated under similar conditions.

For example, in order to get maximum benefit of the instant process,fabric containing a blend of polyamide 5 and wool in the filling yarnscan have filling stretch properties imparted thereto by application ofheat and moisture at a temperature of about l05C.

Regardless of the particular fibrous material in fabric processedaccording to the invention, the fabric is woven fabric with the weavebeing sufficiently open to provide space between neighboring yarns.Moreover, the yarns in the fabric can be in a twisted or untwistedstate, depending at least in part on the particular material from whichthe fabric is made. As an example, where a single continuous filamentyarn, such as a polyamide or polyester yarn or the like is beingutilized, twist is not necessary. On the other hand, where the yarn ismade up of a number of filaments or if it is a spun yarn, at leastenough twist is needed to hold the yarn together and to eliminatefelting and fiber migration. In this connection where spun yarns areutilized, twist should be normal to percent above normal. On the otherhand where a number of continuous filaments are employed to make up ayarn, a producer's twist of approximately one-half turn to one turn isoften sufficient to hold the filaments together.

As mentioned hereinabove the process includes disposing the fabric in aseries of zones, at least two in number. However, the exact number ofzones employed will depend upon the particular fabric being processed.For example, cotton fabric having desirable stretch characteristics sobtained by carrying out the process in an apparatus having four zones.On the other hand, a polyamide fabric having good stretchcharacteristics can be obtained by using only two zones. The exactnumber of treatment zones is dependent upon the ability of the fabricbeing treated to be further elongated in a warp-wise direction withoutbreakage. As with the number of zones, the temperature in each zonevaries in accordance with the fiber being processed.

In general, temperatures in a range of about room temperature, that is,about C to just less than that which will damage the fibrous materialpresent in the fabric being processed are employed in carrying out theprocess in the various treatment zones. The temperature for a specificfabric being processed is readily determinable.

Deformation of the yarns in accordance with this invention is to beunderstood to mean both physical and chemical modification thereof,including crimping and the spatial relationship of the filling yarnswith respect to each other and with respect to the warp yarns. Thephysical and chemical deformation is brought about not only by theapplication of warp tension to fabric being processed, but also by thetemperature to which the fabric is subjected and by the optional use ofa chemical agent having the ability to modify as, for example, byshrinking the yarns and fibers to which it has been applied. Moreover,each of these factors aid in setting the yarns in their deformedcondition.

Any chemical reagent which is compatible with the fabric being processedand which has the ability to modify, as by shrinking or otherwise, andto set the yarns is suitable for use in the practice of this invention.An excellent reagent which can be utilized when wool fabric is beingprocessed is monoethanolamine sulphite. Other known wool modifyingagents are also suitable. An excellent reagent which can be utilized. inthe processing of cotton fabric in accordance with the invention issodium hydroxide. Numerous other reagents are available as will beapparent to those skilled in the art. It is to be noted, however, thatthe particular reagent being utilized should not have an effect on yarnspresent in the fabric other than those which are to be modified by thereagent. In this connection, hot water or steam or the application ofdry heat itself are also excellent reagents for bringing aboutdeformation and setting. Where a chemical modifying agent is used, it isnormally employed in dilute aqueous solutions of about 50 parts water to1 part chemical, about 2 percent solution.

As mentioned hereinabove, the number of zones through which a fabric ispassed will vary depending upon the particular fabric being treated.Wool, for example, can have the desired stretch properties impartedthereto by first treating it with the shrinking agent and then passingit through three zones wherein the temperature is maintained atapproximately 105 C in each zone, and wherein the warp tension of thefabric is increased by about three percent to four percent between theend of the first zone and the end of the second zone and furtherincreased by a like amount between the second and third zones. On theother hand, excellent stretch properties are imparted to a cotton andDacron blend fabric in a four zoneoperation wherein the fabric is firstpadded with sodium hydroxide solution and then conducted through thefirst zone under slight tension at a temperature of 20 C, then to secondzone wherein the temperature remains at about 20 C and the tension isincreased by about two percent to three percent, then to a third zonewherein the temperature is increased to about C and the tension isfurther increased by about an additional 2 to 3 percent, and finally toa fourth zone wherein the temperature is maintained at about I05 C andthe tension is further increased by additional 2 to 3 percent. Nylonfabric, however, is susceptible to having stretch properties impartedthereto merely by subjecting it to a temperature of about l40 that is,somewhat below the heat setting point thereof, and subsequentlysubjecting the fabric to an increased tension of about 4 to 6 percent atsubstantially the same temperature in an additional zone. C,

Tension placed on a fabric being processed in accordance with thisinvention and which tension is increased as the fabric is led from onezone to another is dependent upon the time and speed with which thefabric is being led from one zone to another of the apparatus. In thiscase it is to be noted, as mentioned hereinbelow, that the tension isincreased by means of a variable speed device, such as a motor or apositive infinitely variable transmission unit which operates rolls orother advancing means in each zone. In order to obtain increasedtension, therefore, the variable speed device of the second zone willoperate at a speed greater than the motor of the first zone, and thespeed of the rolls in each successive zone is increased by an increasein the speed of the variable speed device operating in conjunction withthe rolls of that zone. Generally, the surface speed of the rolls ineach successive zone is increased by about 2 to 6 percent. For example,if a woolen fabric is being processed at the rate of 94 feet per minutethrough the first zone, the speed in the second zone is increased toabout 97 feet per minute, and speed in a third or final zone isincreased to about I00 feet per minute. Obviously the surface speed ofthe rolls in each zone which are advancing the fabric through the zonesare, accordingly, increased by a factor of about 3 percent in the caseillustrated. Since modification of fibers in a fabric takes placerelatively instantaneously once the conditions of temperature andtension are attained in each zone, the time a fabric remains within aparticular zone is not critical, so long as the total times in all ofthe zones when accumulated does not exceed a period which will damagethe fabric. For wool, the time factor is about l min. 10 sec. Theparticular total time factor for a specific fabric being processed isreadily determinable. Consequently, once the desired conditions of time,temperature, and tension are attained in a zone, the speed with whichthe fabric is passed from that zone to the next successive zone can beas great as is practical under normal operating conditions. In thiscase, as pointed out above the fabric can be processed as fast as feetper minute and higher, the upper limitation being dependent only uponthe ability of the fabric and the machinery to withstand the higherspeeds without damage thereto, once each successive zone has beenbrought to a temperature and the required tension is applied to a fabricbeing processed therethrough for a sufficient period of time.

After a fabric has been treated to impart the desired amount of stretchthereto, it is generally led into a drying and/or cooling zone. As apractical matter, although a treated fabric can be permitted to cool ordry in air, it is preferred that positive cooling and drying step betaken in order to complete the setting. Such measures can includeoptional washing in water or other reagent to remove any excessmodifying reagent which may be retained thereon, or the fabric can bepassed through an atmosphere of conditioned air in order to lower thetemperature thereof. Drying can be carried out at temperatures in arange of I00C to C or less to as high as temperatures just below thatwhich will damage the fabric. Regardless to what positive steps aretaken, the fabric, during this cooling and/or drying treatment, ismaintained in a substan tially completely relaxed condition in order topermit additional shrinkage and/or setting to take place.

In order to more properly understand the instant process and apparatususeful for carrying it out, reference is made to the attached drawingswherein:

FIG. I is a schematic view of the process as applied to a cotton andDacron blend fabric;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation showing one form of apparatus fortreating a fabric according to the inven tion;

FIG. 2A is a sectional elevation showing the part of the apparatus whichis located after the treatment zones; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of a drying and/or cooling meanssuitable for treatment of a fabric which has been processed in thetreatment zones.

Generally, apparatus suitable for carrying out the process comprisesmeans, such as one or more enclosed treatment zones, means for applyingtension to the fabric while it is advancing through successive treatmentzones including means for progressively increasing the tension on thefabric, and means for regulating the temperature of the treatment zones.In addition, a preferred apparatus will include means for applying amodifying agent to a fabric which is subsequently passed through thetreatment zones, and means for washing the fabric after treatment in thezones as well as means for collecting the fabric after it has beentreated and washed. As an optional part of the apparatus a drying meanscan also be included in carrying out the practice of the invention.Normally the drying means as set forth more fully hereinbelow is locateda after the washing means through which a fabric passes after it leavesthetreatment zones and before collection thereof on a roll or the like.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in FIG. 1 the schematicview shows a first station wherein a chemical solution such as sodiumhydroxide is applied to a cotton and Dacron fabric to be processed. Fromthere, the fabric is conducted into the autoclave forming zone onewherein a tension is applied thereto in a warp-wise direction and thefabric is subjected under slight tensionto the action of the sodiumhydroxide at a relatively low temperature, that is, about 20 C. Fromzone one, the fabric is then conducted to zone two where the tension isincreased by about 2 to 3 percent and the temperature maintained at 20C. Thereafter, the fabric is led into zone three wherein it is subjectedto a further increase of about 2 to 3 percent in tension but at atemperature of 105 C. Finally, the fabric is conducted to the fourthtreatment zone wherein the tension is further increased by a factor ofabout two to three percent and the temperature is maintained at aboutl05 C. The temperature is normally increased and decreased by theaddition of hot water or steam and cold water. When steam is used, theapparatus is constructed so that the zones are sufficiently sealed fromthe atmosphere to allow enough pressure build-up therein to maintainsteam in that state. After the fabric has been passed through the fourtreatment zones, it is then passed into a drying means where dryingtakes place while the fabric is maintained in a substantially completelyrelaxed condition. In actual operation, it is to be noted that beforedrying, a cotton fabric so treated is also passed through a washing stepto remove excess sodium hydroxide therefrom.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A of the drawings, there is shown anapparatus for carrying out the present invention by either a unitary,semicontinuous or continuous process. A strip of fabric 11 is fed from asupply roll by feed rolls 12 and into a J-box 13 where it forms a seriesof loose folds. It is withdrawn from the J box over a roll 14 and led toa means for applying a modifying agent thereto by introduction betweenguide rolls 15 and thence to a tank 16 which contains a solution ofchemical reagent such as those mentioned hereinabove. The fabric strip11 then passes in a succession of folds under a set of other rolls 17and over a roll 18, the former being immersed in the reagent in tank 16.From the tank 16 the fabric 11 passes over a roll 19 into a tank 20around a roll 21 which is submerged in the solution in the tank, thenceover a roll 22 to the bite of a pair of squeeze rolls 23 and 24 whichremove excess reagent therefrom. A drain returns solution from the tank20 to the tank 16. The upper roll 23 of the squeeze rolls is loaded soas to leave a pickup of about 60 to 80 percent of the fabric weight inreagent 5 on the fabric. The lower roll 24 dips into the solution intank 20. From the pair of squeeze rolls the fabric passes over a guideroll 25 under a control roll 26 or like means upon which tension isplaced by weight 27 regulated through control box 28. Next the fabric ispassed over a guide roll 29 and under a guide roll 30 into the firsttreatment zone 31 equipped with a vent 32 by way of vestibule 33 whichis equipped with a seal 34 to permit entrance of the fabric into thetreatment zone without affecting the operating conditions therein andalso to minimize the escape of steam if it is to be utilized during theprocess. The control roll 26 or like means actuates control box 28 whichis connnected to the drive of the squeeze rolls 23 and 24 insequence sothat the fabric strip entering the treatment zone is maintained under aconstant tension in the warp-wise direction.

In the treatment zone 31 of the fabric passes around a series of upperrolls 35 and a series of lower rolls 36 or like means in the form of aseries of vertical loops. Steam, or cold or hot water is supplied to thezone 31 through supply pipes 37 and 38 equipped with a series of headersof other suitable means.

Treatment zone 31 is enclosed within walls of which end panel 39, topmember 40, separating petition 41 and base number 42, are shown.Separating petition 41 forms a common wall with treatment zone 43 andthe upper end of petition 41 is formed by panel 44 suspended from topmember and equipped with a seal 45 so that as the fabric passes out ofzone 31 to zone 43 the conditions within are not changed. Treatmentzones 46 and 47, located downstream from zones 31 and 43 and which nextreceive the fabric, are enclosed by separating petitions 48, 49 and 50,and base members 51, 52 and 53, respectively. The top member 40 forms acommon panel with these zones and with zone 31. Finally, end panel 54and base member 55 form part of a tank 56 containing water functioningas a seal at the exit end of the treatment zones through which thefabric next passes. The tank is equipped with an exit vestibule S7 andan overflow pipe 58. Located in the tank are guide rolls 59, underwhich, and 60, over which, the exiting fabric passes to the vestibule57.

Treatment zones 43, 46 and 47 are all equipped with upper and lowerrolls 61, 62, 63, 64, 6S and 66, respectively, or like means, whichcorrespond to rolls 35 and 36 in zone 31. Zones 43, 46 and 47 also areequipped with supply pipes and headers 67, 68 and 69 below, and 67A, 68Aand 69A above, connected to sources (not shown) to permit entrance ofsteam or the like into each zone. Moreover panels '70, 71 and 72suspended from top member 40 and equipped with seals 73, 74 and 75 serveto isolate each zone from the preceding and subsequent areas andmaintain conditions within each zone. Side panels (not shown) completethe enclosure of the treatment zones and vents (not shown) permit exitof steam or the like therefrom.

Located above top member 40 is a constant speed main driving motor 76connected to one of upper rolls 35 through a belt drive 77 which passesoutside member 40. Driving motor 76 is also connected through belt drive78 to means such as variable speed device 79, located above member 40and connected to one of the upper rolls 61. Variable speed device 79 isin turn connected to a like device 80 which is then connected to stillanother like unit 81 located above zones 46 and 47, respectively.Devices 79, 80 and 81 are connected to the upper rolls 61, 62 and 63 bymeans of belt drives 82, 83 and 84.

As fabric leaves the exit vestibule 57, a guide roll 85 is providedunder which the fabric passes and from which it is led over guide roll86 and thence under a control roll 87 which has tension placed thereonby weight 88 regulated through control box 89 and on its way to thewashing means next passes over guide roll 90 and between rolls 91 undera set of other rolls 92 and over a roll 93, the former being immersed ina washing tank 94. Passing from tank 94 the fabric is led over roll 95and under roll 96, the latter being disposed in a second washing tank97, over a roll 98 to the bite of a pair of squeeze rolls 99 and 100which are adjusted to remove the water from the fabric and leave it inonly a moistened condition. From the squeeze rolls the fabric is led tocollecting means and passes over a guide roll 101 between a pair ofrolls I02 and between a pair of reciprocating rolls 103 whichreciprocate through a connection to eccentric 104 and is laid in foldsbelow.

The fabric as it is laid in folds on pallet 106 is then transferred to adrying means such as slack loop dryer 107 as shown in FIG. 3. In thoseinstances where the process is being carried out in a continuous orsemicontinuous manner, the pallet I06 may be replaced by a J- box orother suitable arrangement (not shown) from which the fabric iswithdrawn at a slower speed than the speed with which it is beingintroduced in the J-box or the like. This is done in order to maintainthe fabric in an essentially tensionless state and in order to feed itin to the loop dryer in a substantially completely relaxed condition.The fabric is led over a roll 108 and between driven rolls 109 locatedwithin the walls of the slack dryer and over a plurality of spaced bars"0 which are continuously advanced by chain 11] so as to form aplurality of fabric loops 112 which hang from the bars 110 intensionless state. Hot air, or if desirable, cold air is supplied to theslack dryer 107 through passages by way of the floor plate U3 whichcontains passages 114 to permit the hot or cold air to enter.Accordingly the dryer is maintained at a temperature suitable forremoving the remaining liquid from the fabric being dried. in the dryersome additional modification of the fabric takes place although itremains in essentially a smooth condition. Generally a fabric beingprocessed in a dryer can be subjected to a wide temperature range of l00C or less to as much as 150 C until the moisture content of the fabricis substantially completely removed. The best temperature for drying aparticular fabric is readily determinable. if desirable, the temperaturemay be measured by an infra-red sensing device and controlled by meansused in ordinary dryers of this type. From the dryer, the fabric isdelivered between rolls 115 and taken up on a roll ll6.

Fabrics treated in accordance with this invention readily lendthemselves to a wide variety of uses. For example, since woolen fabricswhen treated with the disclosed process possess excellent stretchcharacteristics, they are useful in the manufacture of garments such asmen's and boy's suits, slacks, sport coats, ladies and childrens dressfabrics and sportswear, and the like. Such garments due to treatment inaccordance with this invention generally conform to the body of thewearer with a snug fit and because of the stretch characteristicsthereof readily expand and contract permitting the wearer to becomfortable while at the same time allowing for freedom of movement. Inaddition, because of the stretch characteristics of a garmentmanufactured from material treated in accordance with the invention,flexibility at the elbows and knees overcomes rapid deterioration to theshape of the garment and adds to the durability of the wearingqualities.

in addition to the garment field, fabrics treated in accordance with theinvention, such as for example, nylon fabrics, make excellent furniturecoverings and upholstery fabrics which readily conform to the shape ofthe article to which they are applied. Moreover, due to the excellentstretch properties of all fabrics processed in accordance herewith,stretch and recovery is substantially permanent and results in longfabric life. However, in the case of cotton fabrics recovery is improvedby subsequent known processes which will give the cotton a permanentset. Such cotton fabrics are useful in the manufacture of outer garmentsand denims which are particularly useful in the field of sportswear.

The term stretch characterisitics" as employed throughout thisspecification and in the appended claims is to be understood to meanthat a fabric when treated in accordance with the present invention hasthe ability to be repeatedly extended and it will return to itsnon-extended shape upon release of the stretching force applied theretoin order to bring about extension. ln this connection, it is to be notedthat generally fabrics can be extended or stretched up to about 6percent of their original width and/or length. In contrast to this,fabrics treated in accordance with the invention exhibit properties ofstretch as great as percent and more. For example, woolen fabricsprocessed in accordance with the invention exhibit properties of stretchin a range of 30 to 45 percent in comparison with a stretch factor ofabout 6 percent exhibited by like woolen fabrics which are not soprocessed, and in comparison to stretch characteristics of about 20percent exhibited by woolen fabrics processed in accordance with knownprocedures for imparting a stretch thereto.

As many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to beunderstood that the same is not limited to the specific embodimentsthereof except as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for producing fabric having stretch characteristicscomprising a plurality of rolls for conducting fabric into a first tankof chemical reagent, a second tank of reagent, a pair of squeeze rollsat least one of which is partially immersed in said second tank, acontrol roll constructed and arranged to apply tension on fabricdelivered from said squeeze rolls, a plurality of successive enclosedtreatment zones located after said control roll, the first of saidtreatment zones having a sealed entrance vestibule to receive fabriceach said treatment zone having located therein a plurality of rolls atleast some of which are positioned above the others, motive means todrive at least those in the first zone at a first peripheral speed,devices driving rolls in at least one successive treatment zone at ahigher peripheral speed, thereby providing progressively increasedtension on fabric as it is advanced over said rolls and into successivezones, steam headers located in at least one successive treatment zone,flexible seals located at the exit of each zone constructed and arrangedto permit the passage of fabric while maintaining the internalconditions in each zone substantially constant, a liquid seal locatedafter the last of said successive treatment zones through which fabricpasses to an exit vestibule, a first washing tank, a control rollconstructed and arranged to apply tension on fabric delivered to saidwashing tank, a second washing tank and a pair of exit squeeze rolls, atleast one of said squeeze rolls being partially immersed in said secondwashing tank.

2. Apparatus for producing a fabric having stretch characteristicscomprising means for applying a modifying agent to a fabric, a pluralityof successive enclosed treatment zones located after said means forapplying a modifying agent, the first of said zones having a sealedentrance vestibule to receive said fabric, each of said treatment zoneshaving located therein a plurality of rolls at least some of which arepositioned above the others and at least one of which is a driven roll,means to drive said driven rolls so that peripheral roll speed increasesin each successive zone thereby progressively increasing the tension onsaid fabric as it is advanced into successive zones, means located ineach treating zone for regulating the temperature thereof, seals locatedat the exit of each zone constructed and arranged to permit the passageof fabric while maintaining the internal condition in each zonesubstantially constant and means for washing said fabric after saidsuccessive treatment zones.

i t t i I.

1. Apparatus for producing fabric having stretch characteristicscomprising a plurality of rolls for conducting fabric into a first tankof chemical reagent, a second tank of reagent, a pair of squeeze rollsat least one of which is partially immersed in said second tank, acontrol roll constructed and arranged to apply tension on fabricdelivered from said squeeze rolls, a plurality of successive enclosedtreatment zones located after said control roll, the first of saidtreatment zones having a sealed entrance vestibule to receive fabriceach said treatment zone having located therein a plurality of rolls atleast some of which are positioned above the others, motive means todrive at least those in the first zone at a first peripheral speed,devices driving rolls in at least one successive treatment zone at ahigher peripheral speed, thereby providing progressively increasedtension on fabric as it is advanced over said rolls and into successivezones, steam headers located in at least one successive treatment zone,flexible seals located at the exit of each zone constructed and arrangedto permit the passage of fabric while maintaining the internalconditions in each zone substantially constant, a liquid seal locatedafter the last of said successive treatment zones through which fabricpasses to an exit vestibule, a first washing tank, a control rollconstructed and arranged to apply tension on fabric delivered to saidwashing tank, a second washing tank and a pair of exit squeeze rolls, atleast one of said squeeze rolls being partially immersed in said secondwashing tank.
 2. Apparatus for producing a fabric having stretchcharacteristics comprising means for applying a modifying agent to afabric, a plurality of successive enclosed treatment zones located aftersaid means for applying a modifying agent, the first of said zoneshaving a sealed entrance vestibule to receive said fabric, each of saidtreatment zones having located therein a plurality of rolls at leastsome of which are positioned above the others and at least one of whichis a driven roll, means to drive said driven rolls so that peripheralroll speed increases in each successive zone thereby progressivelyincreasing the tension on said fabric as it is advanced into successivezones, means located in each treating zone for regulating thetemperature thereof, seals located at the exit of each zone constructedand arranged to permit the passage of fabric while maintaining theinternal condition in each zone substantially constant and means forwashing said fabric after said successive treatment zones.